World car-free day: Exploring cities that have embraced a life without cars
In 2024, the global number of cars reached 1.475 billion, averaging one car for every 5.5 people. While cars offer convenience, they come at an environmental cost—each vehicle emits around 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). The combined impact of over a billion cars paints a grim picture for our planet.
However, a few cities around the world have taken a different path, opting to stay car-free. On World Car-Free Day, let’s take a look at some of these unique, traffic-free destinations:
Zermatt (Switzerland):At the foot of the Matterhorn, this alpine town has been car-free for decades. Visitors reach it by shuttle train, and within Zermatt, eTaxis, bikes, and free eBuses offer alternatives to cars.
La Digue Island (Seychelles): Known for its laid-back pace, La Digue is a car-free paradise. Bicycles and electric buggies are the primary means of transport, allowing visitors to enjoy the island's scenic beaches and wildlife without the hassle of traffic.
Venice (Italy): With over 400 bridges connecting its islands, Venice’s historic center is entirely car-free. Footpaths and canals define the city, which attracts millions of tourists each year.
Lamu (Kenya): This ancient Swahili town has banned cars, relying instead on donkeys and dhows for transportation. Its narrow streets, lined with centuries-old architecture, offer a glimpse into the region's rich cultural history.
Fes el Bali (Morocco): Fes’s medieval medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the world’s largest car-free zones. Its labyrinthine streets are often too narrow for even bicycles, preserving its authentic feel.
Ghent (Belgium): Since 2017, Ghent's city center has been car-free. A network of buses, trams, and electric boats provide eco-friendly transportation throughout this historic university town.
Hydra (Greece): Cars and bicycles are banned on this mountainous island, leaving walking and mule rides as the main modes of transportation.
Giethoorn (Netherlands): Dubbed the "Dutch Venice," Giethoorn lacks cars and roads. Canals and footbridges guide visitors through this picturesque village, offering a peaceful escape from modern transportation.
Yelapa (Mexico): Accessible only by boat, this tranquil village on the Bay of Banderas offers a glimpse of simple living, with no cars and a connection to nature.
These car-free cities remind us that it’s possible to live without the constant noise and pollution of cars, offering a cleaner, quieter way of life.
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Cong takes swipe at PM over India not being part of US-led 'Pax Silica' grouping
New Delh (PTI) The Congress on Saturday said it is perhaps not very surprising that India is not part of a US-led strategic initiative to build a secure silicon supply chain, given the "sharp downturn" in the Trump-Modi ties, and asserted that it would have been to "our advantage if we had been part of this group".
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the news of India not being part of the group comes after the PM had enthusiastically posted on social media about a telephone call with his "once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC".
In a lengthy post on X, Ramesh said, "According to some news reports, the US has excluded India from a nine-nation initiative it has launched to reduce Chinese control on high-tech supply chains. The agreement is called Pax Silica, clearly as a counter to Pax Sinica. The nations included (for the moment at least) are the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia."
"Given the sharp downturn in the Trump-Modi ties since May 10th, 2025, it is perhaps not very surprising that India has not been included. Undoubtedly, it would have been to our advantage if we had been part of this group."
"This news comes a day after the PM had enthusiastically posted on his telephone call with his once-upon-a-time good friend and a recipient of many hugs in Ahmedabad, Houston, and Washington DC," the Congress leader asserted.
The new US-led strategic initiative, rooted in deep cooperation with trusted allies, has been launched to build a secure and innovation-driven silicon supply chain.
According to the US State Department, the initiative called 'Pax Silica' aims to reduce coercive dependencies, protect the materials and capabilities foundational to artificial intelligence (AI), and ensure aligned nations can develop and deploy transformative technologies at scale.
The initiative includes Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia. With the exception of India, all other QUAD countries -- Japan, Australia and the US -- are part of the new initiative.
New Delhi will host the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 19-20, focusing on the principles of 'People, Planet, and Progress'. The summit, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the France AI Action Summit, will be the first-ever global AI summit hosted in the Global South.
Prime Minister Modi and US President Trump on Thursday discussed ways to sustain momentum in the bilateral economic partnership in a phone conversation amid signs of the two sides inching closer to firming up a much-awaited trade deal.
The phone call between the two leaders came on a day Indian and American negotiators concluded two-day talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement that is expected to provide relief to India from the Trump administration's whopping 50 per cent tariffs on Indian goods.
In a social media post, Modi had described the conversation as "warm and engaging".
"We reviewed the progress in our bilateral relations and discussed regional and international developments. India and the US will continue to work together for global peace, stability and prosperity," Modi had said without making any reference to trade ties.
